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Is There Any Difference Between Paresthesia, Neuropathy And Restless Legs Syndrome?
Question: Respected Doctor, is there any difference between paresthesia, neuropathy and restless legs syndrome? Actually i got some constant buzzing sensations in my both foot accompanied by lightness sensations in calf muscle of both legs since few months now which becomes worse in night due to which i can't sleep properly until i put on tight bandage on them to get some relief. I consulted two neurologists just to be sure, but one of them you got paresthesias due to neuropathy, while other one said you got RLS, i am confused as what i am actually suffering from? Can you please enlighten me with their difference as to how i can figure it out what i got without going for any physical tests? Thanks
Brief Answer:
Paresthesia is a symptom which can be found in both the other conditions.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Regarding those 3 terms you mention, I would first remove paresthesia. It is not a diagnosis, it is simply the latin medical term for abnormal sensations in the skin. So it's a symptom, not a condition. As a symptom it can be found in different neurological conditions.
So the issue is whether you have neuropathy or RLS, as both can present paresthesias as a symptom. While your description looks to me more correspondent to RLS, it is difficult to differentiate as neuropathy can have different forms. Signs the neurologists may have noticed on neurological exam like diminished deep tendon reflexes can help, but usually a test (a non-invasive one) called nerve conduction study would help.
I hope to have been of help.
Thanks.
Paresthesia is a symptom which can be found in both the other conditions.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Regarding those 3 terms you mention, I would first remove paresthesia. It is not a diagnosis, it is simply the latin medical term for abnormal sensations in the skin. So it's a symptom, not a condition. As a symptom it can be found in different neurological conditions.
So the issue is whether you have neuropathy or RLS, as both can present paresthesias as a symptom. While your description looks to me more correspondent to RLS, it is difficult to differentiate as neuropathy can have different forms. Signs the neurologists may have noticed on neurological exam like diminished deep tendon reflexes can help, but usually a test (a non-invasive one) called nerve conduction study would help.
I hope to have been of help.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Brief Answer:
Paresthesia is a symptom which can be found in both the other conditions.
Detailed Answer:
Hello ,
Regarding those 3 terms you mention, I would first remove paresthesia. It is not a diagnosis, it is simply the latin medical term for abnormal sensations in the skin. So it's a symptom, not a condition. As a symptom it can be found in different neurological conditions.
So the issue is whether you have neuropathy or RLS, as both can present paresthesias as a symptom. While your description looks to me more correspondent to RLS, it is difficult to differentiate as neuropathy can have different forms. Signs the neurologists may have noticed on neurological exam like diminished deep tendon reflexes can help, but usually a test (a non-invasive one) called nerve conduction study would help.
I hope to have been of help.
Thanks.
Paresthesia is a symptom which can be found in both the other conditions.
Detailed Answer:
Hello ,
Regarding those 3 terms you mention, I would first remove paresthesia. It is not a diagnosis, it is simply the latin medical term for abnormal sensations in the skin. So it's a symptom, not a condition. As a symptom it can be found in different neurological conditions.
So the issue is whether you have neuropathy or RLS, as both can present paresthesias as a symptom. While your description looks to me more correspondent to RLS, it is difficult to differentiate as neuropathy can have different forms. Signs the neurologists may have noticed on neurological exam like diminished deep tendon reflexes can help, but usually a test (a non-invasive one) called nerve conduction study would help.
I hope to have been of help.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Thanks Doctor, I get burning sensation in my foot that often comes and goes, does that give hint towards anything? Sometimes i can feel nerve wobbling inside my foot. When my sensations turn worse in night, i had to put on tight crepe bandage on them to get some relief.
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Burning sensation is more indicative of neuropathy, but still RLS patients present at times such sensations as well, so it can't definitely differentiate between the two. So can bandaging help in both as well (though relief more indicative of RLS). As for the nerve wobbling I must say I doubt that to be truly the case as nerves do not wobble, must be you being anxious and over-concentrating. I still tend towards RLS as neuropathy unlikely at your age, but as I said nerve conduction studies would help to differentiate.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Burning sensation is more indicative of neuropathy, but still RLS patients present at times such sensations as well, so it can't definitely differentiate between the two. So can bandaging help in both as well (though relief more indicative of RLS). As for the nerve wobbling I must say I doubt that to be truly the case as nerves do not wobble, must be you being anxious and over-concentrating. I still tend towards RLS as neuropathy unlikely at your age, but as I said nerve conduction studies would help to differentiate.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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